"Both the battlecruiser squadron and the second battleship squadron are poised to suffer severe losses. Should we commit all our main battleships to a decisive engagement with the Germans at this juncture, the prospects of victory appear bleak. Nevertheless, Lord Churchill's orders are clear: we must endeavor to sink the German fleet's capital ships to create opportunities for future naval engagements. If we retreat now, we would be surrendering command of the seas entirely to the Germans. Furthermore, if we withdraw to Scapa Flow to avoid battle, the German navy will undoubtedly continue to assault our coastal cities. The pressure from both the navy and the cabinet would then become overwhelming, leaving us no option but to confront the Germans at sea," Admiral John Jellicoe contemplated silently.
Admiral Jellicoe meticulously pondered the most advantageous course of action for the Royal Navy. Yet, irrespective of his decisions, reversing the tide seemed nearly impossible, a realization that filled him with profound frustration.
"Are we truly destined to lose this time? Is it inevitable that the British Empire, which has wielded maritime supremacy for centuries, must yield it to the Germans?" He felt a deep sorrow, struggling to accept such a grim fate, yet the reality was undeniable.
"Sir, the situation is exceedingly dire. General Beatty's battlecruiser squadron and the second battleship squadron are in peril; we must act immediately to reinforce them. Otherwise, they will be overwhelmed by the Germans, and we will lack the strength to confront them decisively," a senior officer advised.
Admiral Jellicoe nodded in agreement. "Order the fleet to proceed south at full speed. Since our confrontation with the Germans is unavoidable, let us commence the battle today. We must seek to inflict significant damage upon the German battlecruisers before their main forces arrive. Such an advantage would greatly favor our efforts."
"Yes, sir."
"Inform all Royal Navy personnel that this battle determines the very survival of the British Empire. We must confront the Germans with the same fearless spirit our forebears demonstrated at the Battle of Trafalgar. God will bless the British Empire and grant us victory over the vile Germans. Everyone will stand as a beacon of our nation's strength," Admiral Jellicoe commanded.
In this unfavorable situation, he could only seek to bolster the morale of his troops, hoping for a miracle. This was indeed Admiral Jellicoe's sole recourse.
Under Admiral Jellicoe's orders, the main body of the Royal Navy fleet began its southern advance, preparing for a decisive encounter with the German navy. They aimed to strike hard against the German battlecruisers before the enemy's main force could make an appearance, thus securing a more advantageous position.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the German First and Second Battlecruiser Squadrons continued their onslaught against the British battlecruiser squadron and the second battleship squadron. The two-to-one advantage allowed them to maintain the initiative, relentlessly inflicting damage upon the British forces.
"Boom!" A 343-mm shell struck the battleship *Malaya*, penetrating its stern and detonating inside, igniting a fierce blaze.
Almost immediately, a 343-mm shell fired from the battlecruiser *Goeben* directly impacted the turret of the *Balao* battleship. Despite its armor being 330 mm thick, it could not withstand the combined assault of a fifty-caliber gun and armor-piercing shell. The explosion within the turret was devastating, launching it skyward. Had there been munitions inside, the consequences would have been catastrophic.
Yet, this outcome left Rear Admiral Benjamin, commanding the second battleship squadron, utterly astonished.
"Damn, how is this possible? Why can the Germans' *Moltke*-class battlecruisers penetrate our turret armor? This defies logic!" he exclaimed, disbelief etched across his face.
"Sir, it appears the Germans have significantly advanced in artillery technology compared to us," an officer remarked with a sigh.
Rear Admiral Benjamin was momentarily taken aback but had no choice but to concur. Given the circumstances, this was the only plausible explanation. Nonetheless, such a realization gnawed at his pride. As a leader in the Royal Navy, he had always felt a sense of superiority, now shattered by the Germans' formidable might.
"Return fire, and draw closer to the main fleet!" Rear Admiral Benjamin ordered.
In this critical moment, they could only regroup and rely on the strength of the main fleet to navigate through the crisis.
"Boom!"
The British navy managed a hit as a 381-mm shell struck the *Hindenburg*. However, the British were disheartened to find that this hit merely inflicted negligible damage.
Undoubtedly, the battlefield remained firmly under German control.
Two minutes later, the *Balao* was struck again, this time by the *Lützow* battlecruiser. A 380-mm shell pierced the armor of the command tower, which at 280 mm was like paper before such firepower, ripping through with ease.
The explosion claimed the lives of several officers, including the captain, plunging the *Balao* into chaos.
Following this, the *Goeben* struck the *Balao* again with two 343-mm shells, compounding its injuries.
As time passed, the German ships repeatedly landed hits. Shells continued to strike the three British battleships, leaving a trail of devastation.
On the other front, Vice Admiral David Beatty's battlecruiser squadron was likewise struggling under the assault of the German First Battlecruiser Squadron.